198 PROCEEDINGS COTTESWOLD CLUB 1906 
chains have been hung overhead in a conspicuous place. The greatest 
treasure is an Anglo-Saxon copy of the four gospels, dating back to 
the eight or ninth century. It was bequeathed to the Bishop of 
Hereford in 1050 as an old book. As is well-known, much time and 
labour were expended on these books, and one could but note that the 
illuminations and writing were as beautiful to the eye as in those far 
off days when monks must have believed that /aborare est orare, or 
otherwise we should never have inherited such striking proofs of 
devoted industry. Another volume which may be associated with the 
aforesaid gospels is the beautiful 13th century Breviary, Hereford Use, 
with music interspersed. At the other end of the library is a Caxton 
“‘Legenda Aurea,” 1483, one of the most perfect copies known, a 
Wycliffe Bible, 1420, and a Saxon Charter of date 840. Stroud 
visitors were interested in the grant of Robert de Berkeley to the 
Church of Leonard Stanley, of his woodland at Cowley, but the time 
was insufficient to allow of more than a cursory inspection of so many 
valuable relics. 
Leaving the library, the Members were conducted by Mr Moore, 
Honorary Secretary of the Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Club, round 
the exterior of the Cathedral, the cloisters naturally attracting 
attention. Returning to the interior of the building, the chief 
verger undertook the duty of director, and performed his task in a 
capable manner. Standing in the Lady Chapel, he drew attention to 
the fine clustered columns, and the other features of transitional 
architecture subsequent to the Norman, for which the choir and nave 
are famous. It may be here mentioned that the See of Hereford was 
detached from Lichfield in 673, Putta being its first bishop. The 
removal of murdered Ethelbert’s body from Marden to Hereford led 
to the foundation of a superior church, reconstructed by Bishop 
Athelston, and burned by the Welsh in 1055. Recommenced in 1079 
by the first Norman bishop, Robert of Lorraine, it was carried on by 
Bishop Reynelin, and completed in 1148 by Bishop R. de Betun. 
The lady chapel, clerestory of the choir, and north transept date from 
between 1226 and 1269, while successive additions and reconstructions 
have extended over 450 years. In 1786 the great western tower fell, 
and carried with it the west front and the first bay of the nave, since 
which date there have been two modern restorations, in 1842 and 1863. 
The total length of the Cathedral outside is 342 feet, inside 327 feet 5 
inches, the nave being 158 feet 6 inches, the choir from screen to 
reredos 75 feet 6 inches, and the lady chapel 93 feet 5 inches. The 
pillars and arches of the nave, the north and south arches of the 
choir, and the triforium, are Norman in their architecture, as is a]so 
the font; the lady chapel, the clerestory, and stone vaulting, ea y 
English. The north transept is of the date of Bishop Aquablanca 
(1245-68), the south-east transept of late decorated. As the late Sir 
Gilbert Scott pointed out, but for the fall of the western tower, the 
consequent curtailment of the nave, and other solecisms, few cathe- 
drals could offer so complete a field of progressive architectural study 
of Norman to late Perpendicular. The Cathedral can boast some fine 
